Recent News

Back in December, we heard the 2016 RX (to be unveiled in New York this week; that’s the 2015 model above) would become the first Lexus ute to receive the Lexus Safety System+, an option package with adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, forward collision alert, auto-braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. Now we know that option will cost between $500 and $635, a price range no other automaker in the U.S. has ever approached for these kind of features (that includes Subaru’s $1195 EyeSight system). Unlike similar technologies in today’s Lexus models, LSS+ won’t require additional option packages. Four other Lexus models will follow suit this year in offering the new bundle.

Save for a lane-keeping assist function available on certain models, LSS+ is identical to Toyota’s (also affordable) Safety Sense P package slated for the 2016 RAV4 and Avalon.

Until the RX reaches showrooms this fall, the 2015 NX crossover and LS sedan are the only Lexus models that can brake to a complete stop, and only the LS has pedestrian detection. The new LSS+ package bolsters this system by claiming to brake to a full stop from 25 mph when detecting stationary vehicles or from 19 mph for pedestrians. The system is always active between seven and 50 mph. As on Mercedes and Acura models, LSS+ can also control the steering to keep the vehicle within painted lane markers. Blind-spot monitoring will remain a separate option.

But while we don’t yet have 2016 model pricing, we can at least credit LSS+ for cutting some heavy fat on the order sheet. For example, the 2015 RX charges $1500 for just auto-braking, adaptive cruise, and forward collision alert, and top of that, mandates another $4740 in option packages such as xenon headlamps, navigation, and other unrelated features just to get the stuff.

While option bundling varies across luxury brands—sometimes including more features such as BMW’s stop-and-go functionality for its adaptive cruise control or automatic reverse braking on the Infiniti QX60—most of these driver-assist options are either very expensive or require bundles of other options that balloon the bottom line.

Here’s how Lexus stacks up against some luxury SUVs, which charge anywhere from three to 17 times as much for these same features:

While Lexus hopes to incite a price war—and make its competitors look bad while appearing altruistic—it’s likely able to offer the gear at a reduced price because cameras, radar, and laser components are getting cheaper to manufacture and integrate into new cars. We think it may take more than this, however, for the profit-laden option packages to drop in price at other showrooms, namely fewer people checking those boxes on the order sheet.